Fire-escape



(No Model.)

- L. .1. H-AIGHT.

FIRE ESCAPE.

110.4631243. Patented Nov. 17,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.v

LEVI A. HAIGHT, OF TYNDALL, SOUTH DAKOTA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 468,243, dated November 1*?, 1891. v Application filed December 4, 1890. Serial No. 373,627. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEVI A. HAIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tyndall, in the county of Bon Homme and State of South Dakota, have invented la new and useful Improvement in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an improved friction-block by means of which persons may easily descend a rope suspended from the window of a building.

The object I have in view is to provide such a block as can be cheaply and easily made by any person of ordinary ability, being less wearing upon the rope on account of its bearing-surface and having a greater amount of friction through the tension applied, therefore the more easily operated and at the same time better adapted to the different weights of individuals, as it is well known that in some devices of the kind a light weight will not cause the block to descend.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

The accompanying drawing is a front elevation of my device complete.

Similar letters in the drawing and description indicate corresponding parts.

A representsa wooden block having two holes bored therein. The holes are made to diverge from the central portion of the top edge of the block and extend entirely through it, as indicated bythe dotted lines O C. The block is further provided near its lower edge with a transverse opening, through which passes an endless strap J. A ring B is placed on and secured by said strap.

D represents a belt or strap having a snap on each end for engagement with the said ring. The strap D is used as a support for the person in descending, and the snaps are provided for its ready adjustment.

E represents a rope secured to the building or to any article of furniture in the room from which the person desires to escape and is of sufficient length to reach the ground. The rope is attached to the block by threading it through the holes O'O, beginning at the converging point.

The operation of the device is as follows: The block being attached to the rope at the desired elevation, the strap D is placed around the body and quickly secured by aid of the snaps, the weight of the body causing the block to descend. The descent is regulated by the tension of the rope below the block, which may applied by the person descending or by any one on the ground below. By the construction of my device it will be found that a slight weight will cause the block to descend, and that a very heavy weight may be sustained by a little pulling on the rope.

I am aware that otherfriction-blocks have been used for the same purpose; but in each case it takes considerable Weight to move the block, being therefore less effective for the escape of light persons, and when made of metal far more damaging to the rope.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is- A tire-escape having a descending-rope and a belt or strap to support the body, and the friction-block A, provided With two holes therethrough, said holes being made to diverge from the central portion of the top edge of said block, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses LEVI A. I-IAIGHT.

Titnessesz J. SETZER, W. H. NoBLEs. 

